CRICKLADE TO THE THAMES AND SEVERN CANAL

STATUS
The historic line. Although a new line has been prpopsed, running to the east of Cricklade, it is not yet certain which line will ultimately be restored.
Meanwhile, work is continuing at Latton Junction.

Features: Aqueduct Railway Path Crossing Thames Aqueduct 087947 Aqueduct 876949 Latton Lock Latton Basin River Churn Aqueduct Latton Junction

DESCRIPTION

The Canal originally ran on the east side of West Mill Lane, turning left (Westwards) as the road approached the Thames. From here it can be followed along a footpath.
The line of the Canal can be seen as it crosses the fields up to the River Thames Aqueduct, now replaced by a wooden footbridge.
Across the Thames the Canal has been made into a tree-lined footpath on an embankment.
After a while the footpath fades out, and the next Aqueduct, over the River Churn, tributary of the Thames, is completely destroyed - though the brick foundations can still be seen.
The footpath continues on the other side of the aqueduct.

Latton (Regulating) Lock This is the last lock before the junction with the Thames & Severn Canal. It was a regulating lock, built to prevent water from one Canal entering the other, more for political than for practical purposes. Work on clearance has commenced.
Aqueduct The lock sat on a 4-arch aqueduct which carried the Canal over a drainage ditch
	Latton Basin The basin has been partially cleared and work has started on repairing the walls. It is interesting to note that the quality of the masonry of the far wall is much better than the side walls.
Mill Leat Aqueduct Coming out of the north side of the basin, there was then a siphonic aqueduct, of which there is little to see above water, which crossed over a mill leat, which ran down to Latton Mill, about a mile to the East. (this leat was previously confused with the River Churn, which is actually just south of here).   The stone footings of the Thames & Severn Canal's Towpath Footbridge can be seen in the towpath.
Latton Junction and the Canal widens into the junction with the Thames & Severn. A short length of the Thames and Severn Canal has recently been dredged.

WATER SUPPLIES

None, really. The whole section is at the level of the Thames and Severn Canal, and initially will probably be filled from it.
But we've got a towpath bridge and an aqueduct to build first!

RIGHTS OF WAY

Part of the towpath is a right of way.
For the present I will have to refer you to the O.S. map until I have done some more exploration.
However the basin can be approached from a footpath which forms a circular walk taking in South Cerney and part of the thames and Severn Canal.

HOSTELRIES

None in the area.